Multi-billion-dollar adult nightclub industry once again converges on Las Vegas for its annual gathering, the 22nd Gentlemen’s Club EXPO

If the 2014 Gentlemen’s Club EXPO (August 17-20, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas) proved one thing, it’s that the EXPO isn’t just for club owners anymore. In fact, while the 22nd Annual EXPO brought in hundreds of adult nightclub owners from across the U.S. and around the world, scores of club staff also attended the EXPO, including general managers, floor managers, DJs, waitstaff, security and more. A focal point for these club staffers was certainly the two days of “Staff Training Seminars” offered at the EXPO, seminars which targeted very specific areas of club operation including management, security, bartending, waitressing, DJs, promotions and social media, along with an impressive Keynote Address from Renegade Hospitality’s Tim Kirkland which exemplified the EXPO’s theme, “Formula Win: Turn Your Staff Into a Winning Crew.”

“The EXPO’s ‘Staff Training Seminars’ featured three seminars occurring simultaneously, which is the first time we’ve ever attempted that format,” says ED Publications’ Associate Publisher, Dave Manack. ED Publications, also publishers of the industry’s only national trade magazines, has produced the Annual EXPO since its inception in 1993. “But these seminars were as well received as we could have possibly hoped, and it further proves that this is a direction in which the industry wants to see us proceed. We want to help educate every area of club staff with true experts from both inside and outside of our industry, and we are excited to know that our attendees appreciated our efforts.”

The “Staff Training Seminars” weren’t the only firsts at EXPO 2014, as evidenced by the “Chill Day” Pool Party and Bikini Contest at Mandalay Bay’s East Lagoon Pool. A private, convention-guest-only event, the party directly followed a morning filled with informative—and, at times, intense—legal discussions, during the EXPO’s Legal Roundtable Brunch and Legal Panel. The panel and roundtables addressed today’s hot-button legal topics, including the ongoing issue of dancer class-action litigation. But the Pool Party and Bikini Contest added some much needed levity to the day, as did the “gag” contests like “best belly flop” and “best twerking” contest—for the guys only. Of course, several of the industry’s top feature entertainers enhanced the experience of the bikini contest, as ED’s Entertainer of the Year nominee Roxi D’Lite took home first place and $1,000 cash.

While there was a lot of fun to be had at the EXPO Pool Party, it also proved to be a fitting atmosphere for the ALS ice bucket challenge. After a number of volunteers stepped up to be doused in ice-filled water, over $2,000 was raised in just a couple of hours to benefit this very worthwhile cause.

Pre-EXPO festivities began on Sunday, August 16th, as ACE (the Association of Club Executives) celebrated it’s 15-year anniversary as the industry’s national trade organization. The atmosphere of “doing business” carried over to Monday, the 17th, as the EXPO Tradeshow opened and featured hundreds of companies showcasing products and services geared toward the adult nightclub industry.

But it was Monday night when the EXPO “party” got into full swing, as the Opening Night "‘80s Dance Party" was held at the ultra-hip LIGHT Nightclub inside Mandalay Bay. In addition to the ‘80s dance remixes echoing through the club’s speakers, courtesy of top adult club industry DJs, six “ED’s” Awards were presented prior to the main ED’s Awards Show on Tuesday, August 19th, at the House of Blues in Las Vegas (see more about the ED’s Awards Show, including a list of all winners and photos here). These ED’s Awards included “Feature” Club of the Year, Club Favorite Entertainer of the Year, Adult Movie Entertainer of the Year, Club Employee of the Year, DJ of the Year and Miss EXOTICDANCER.com of the Year.

The Closing Night “Moulin Rouge” Showcase Party provided a fitting conclusion to the Annual EXPO on Wednesday, August 20th, as seven top feature entertainers offered burlesque-style performances at the Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, one of the nominees for ED’s Overall Gentlemen’s Club of the Year Award.

Coverage of the EXPO 2014

Workshops and Panel SessionsWhen it comes to being a more profitable club, small club operators often don’t have the budget to hire ‘experts’ or pour thousands into an advertising budget. Instead, they have to find a way to succeed with a small staff and a do-it-yourself attitude. Our panel of experts gave our workshop attendees the real nuts-and-bolts advice on how they can make their clubs more profitable—today—operating within a budget that is realistic for them (and you). Read More

TradeshowEach year at the Annual Gentlemen's Club EXPO, hundreds of business from across the U.S. and around the world represent themselves at the EXPO Tradeshow. The companies who've exhibited at the EXPO Tradeshow have shown a specific commitment to the adult nightclub industry, and represent a wide variety of products and services geared toward adult nightclub operators, feature entertainers and other industry pros.. Read More

Awards ShowAugust 27th, Clearwater, FL: On the biggest stage in the industry, the stars were shining brightly on a hot August night. When it was all said and done, Lacey Rain was crowned ED’s Overall Entertainer of the Year, Scarlett’s Cabaret in Hallandale, FL, took home the prestigious Overall Gentlemen’s Club of the Year Award, and the Penthouse Clubs walked away with the coveted Club Chain of the Year Award. Read More

Parties"It's the most fun you'll ever have doing business." This has long been the motto of the Annual Gentlemen's Club EXPO, and it most directly refers to the evening parties and networking events held each year during the EXPO. Of course, it all begins with the Opening Night Party, the first official party brining the entire convention together. The evening events and parties also include the Annual ED's Awards Show (see Awards Show), and previous EXPOs have boasted many themed Opening Night and Closing Night parties, dancer showcases, receptions and more.